Ahead of the Merseyside derby contested between home team Liverpool and visitors Everton at Anfield on Saturday lunch-time, Reds recruit Adam Lallana has intimated that he grew up as a Blue.

“My dad used to support Everton in the Gary Lineker days when they were doing well, so that’s the reason I started following them," the 26-year-old explained to The Guardian.

A positionally-versatile attack-minded midfielder, Lallana has thrice featured for his new club having secured a big-money move from the Saints earlier in the summer.

Since his switch, he has returned an 88% passing accuracy in Premier League football and has been responsible for the creation of two key passes.

Lallana, 26, began his youth careeer at Bournemouth, before getting picked up by Southampton. He progressed all the way to senior level with the South Coast club and the 14-year association dulled his affection for Everton.

"I would always look for their result but, playing for Southampton for so many years, it became less and less. Everton always seemed to be fighting relegation when I was supporting them. I seem to remember there were a lot of tears.